Trailer hitch for a bike rack

[datgrl]

Hi all,

I know that the CVT isn't supposed to haul anything but I want toinstall a trailer hitch for a bike rack. The dealer told me to check backin a year. What all is involved with installing a hitch? Can a hitch beretro-fitted to work with the Versa? I'm wondering if Nissan will comeout with a hitch at all if they don't want the car to be used to pull anything.

Thanks,

Datgrl in Baltimore

[motoguy128]

Nissan will definitely not supply a hitch for this car in the US or North America. There is a tow bar (same as a trailer hitch) for the European and Australian/New Zealand models (Tiida). However, I don't know if the bumper and rear chassis design is exactly the same. I do know that there are no predrilled mounting points, and the passenger side frame rail is covered by the carcoal canister (emissions junk).

I'm hoping in about 6 months the aftermarket will have a solution. My guess is that you will need to drill at least 2 holes in the spare tire well to mount the hitch frame and you will have to remove the charcoal canister and they will supply a new mounting bracket for it to relocate it next ot he hitch frame, as well as loosen the exhaust temporarily to get the frame above it.

I have a feeling the hitch will be a little more expensive than normal ($150-180 range) and take several hours to mount. Even my Honda Accord required drilling holes in the spare tire well. I just removed the hitch and plugged the holes with some plastic plugs form Lowes when I traded it in.

I have a 6 speed manual, with it's short 1st gear and close ratios, I don't think it will have any trouble wiht a 1000lb trailer. Heck my '03 Toyota Corolla was rated for 1500lbs, and it made 2 ft-lbs less torque and had taller gearing yet still did an excellent job. Heck I still got 33+mpg on the freeway when towing at 70-75mph. Althouhg the manual Corolla almost 200lbs lighter.

[proxim2020]

If you really want it badly and in a hurry, you can check local hitch shops. They would be able to create something custom for you that would be pretty sturdy. Be aware that there's almost a gaurantee that the hitch will be welded to the frame, so there will be no easy way to get it off. People down here get custom hitches done all the time for various reasons.

[motoguy128]

e-trailer.com is not listing 2 trailer hitches that fit the 2007 Nissan Versa. They list it as a easy 30 minute installation, so I'm guessing it's a bolt up operation with some method of working around the charcoal canister. It doesn;t say no drilling, but usually if drilling is required, it would list a longer installation time.

I'm taking the chance and ordering it. It's $123 shipped with the draw bar. That's about $20 higher than normal, so I'm optomistic it will bolt right up. I'll let you know in about 7-10 days how it fits. I'll probably see if one of the open slots in the fuse block is hot, and tie into that if possible for the 10A trailer light power.

I've ordered similar trailer hitches form this webiste for 3 other cars ... a '91 Toyota Tercel - 4 speed manual (yes it can tow about 1000 lbs...barely), '03 Corolla - 5 speed manual (towed very well up to 1000lbs, 1500 lbs was pushing it), '04 Honda Accord Coupe - 4 cylinder, 5 speed auto (800lbs easily, minimal performance drop, still got 30 mpg freeway)

[datgrl]

Thanks for the input and advice. Be sure to let us know how it all works out for you!

Datgrl in Baltimore

[benzu]

What was your outcome with the trailer hitch?

I want to put a hitch on my V and I'm concerned with how much it can pull, do I need trailer brakes. I have checked out the specs on the Euro Nissan site and have found that the Tiida can pull 1322lbs with out trailer breaks or 2204lbs with breaks

[motoguy128]

The install was a little tricky. I had to drill a couple holes, but it's secure, fairly well hidden. The only problem I've had is that the exhaust is fairly close to the hitch. The hot moist air has baked off the paint and caused some rust. Not a structural problem, but I'm going to need to remove it, sand the paint and apply a black high temp paint to the area about 6-8 inches around the exhaust.

Otherwise, I still need to do the wiring. Finding the correct wires has proved to be a little tricky.

For towing, the car works very well. The nice low 1st and 2nd gear are excellent for towing. I towed a 700lb trailer with motorcycle. At freeway speeds the wind drag from the motorcycle was noticeable and hills reqired quite a bit of extra throttle, and steeper hills needed a downshift to 5th. Overall it tows about as well as my '03 Toyota Corolla which was rated for towing 1500lbs. It behaved the same at freeway speeds, but actually was a little harder around town since 1st gear in that car is much taller. Brakes in both cars are adequate with the extra weight, with a slight edge ot the Corolla (no ABS either)